The *NEW* SWAN & DOLPHIN RESORT Thread ~ April 2009 ~ Please read Post #1!

[mapmakerj]

I just got back and I have to say that I'm glad I didn't pay full price for staying here. We got a standard view room (read - looking at a rooftop) and I don't know what beds everyone had been talking about but ours felt just like regular hotel beds. And the bathroom was tiny!.

But, it was very clean, the service was excellent and the grotto pool was a lot of fun.

Next time I'm staying on real disney property.

The busses were very timely, tho. The longest wait we had was about 20 minutes for DTD. In fact, the morning we left must have been early hours for the magic kingdom because there was a MK bus every 5 minutes.

My family stayed at the Swan for 9 nts last month and we also didn't find that the beds were anything special. They felt and looked like standard hotel pillow top mattresses to me. (I did look under the mattress pad to check) They didn't feel at all soft and squishy to us. We were a bit dissapointed after all the rave reviews we read. The beds at the Royal Pacific at US were much more comfortable. We had to switch rooms at check in because the room was sooo humid and damp. Everything we touched felt wet, including the bedding. The second room was a bit better. We loved the location, the hotel grounds and lobby were pretty, transportation awesome, but we were disappointed in the room. I am very glad we got it for a very discounted rate. The one bonus to our stay at the Swan is that it got us hooked on the Epcot area and are planning on staying in one of the Disney owned hotels on our next trip.

 

[vicb]

The rate that comes up on the website is ~$223.20 for the cheapest room with the AAA discount for end of february into early march ($261.10 after taxes and fees)

If you don't mind me asking, was that around what you got? I want to book for April 2010, but not unless they offer the great rates they had for this year - here's hoping!

I was trying for AAA check in on Feb. 20 or 21 but AAA rate not available. I moved into Monday and low and behold it is available. That rate is for a "traditional" view.... hmmmm.

I would like to see the deal extended they have now for a second room for $99 since I need two rooms.

 

[Boatingmom]

Annagirl -I felt similar when I returned from my last trip. I thought I missed the Disney experience. Now a year later, I just want to go back. I've already booked another trip. This time to the Swan. I looked at all the boardwalk deluxes and there was nothing they offered that would warrant me paying $200. extra per night for. Once you stop comparing S&Dto a Dis resort you'll realize that the Swan Dolphin are exceptional. $149 v. $335. Same restuarants and busses. Go figure????????????

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

I'm going crazy using the search feature on the boards, not having luck lately LOL....

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone knows the approximate rack rate/cost for the different suites, but specifically the "Executive Suite" at the Dolphin (or Swan if you know that) if you know that even?!?!?

Also if you have or know of any pictures of this suite, can you please post any links?

Thank you!

MG.

 

[viluvsdisney]

The rate that comes up on the website is ~$223.20 for the cheapest room with the AAA discount for end of february into early march ($261.10 after taxes and fees)

If you don't mind me asking, was that around what you got? I want to book for April 2010, but not unless they offer the great rates they had for this year - here's hoping!

Hi - Figment....I called the 1-888 number, and got it for less then that. It seems to work out better when we call, it's happened the last 3 times in terms of rates.

 

[chell]

We are so hooked on those beds that we are going to Atlanta next month and I have to stay at a Westin. Earlier this week I received an email saying they have a special where the rooms are 50% off at some resorts and decided that made it perfect for to stay at a Westin on our trip. Now to decide which location between two...

They are offering the Swan starting at $159 per night and the Dolphin starting at $149 per night. These links with take you to the pages with the discount code already in place. The discount is valid for arrivals all days of the week. But the room must be paid for by the 20th.

 

[annagirl]

I looked at all the boardwalk deluxes and there was nothing they offered that would warrant me paying $200. extra per night for. Once you stop comparing S&Dto a Dis resort you'll realize that the Swan Dolphin are exceptional. $149 v. $335. Same restuarants and busses. Go figure????????????

That is a good point.

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

Well, we ended up booking the Executive Suite for four nights! Does anyone know how many of these there are (one? a lot?) and does anyone know the general view offered by these rooms?

We have the 1BR version, not sure what the additional cost for the second bedroom as I did not reserve the room myself .... but we are fine with the king bed in the actual bedroom plus the living room has the 'wall bed' and 'couch bed' for 3/5th's of the group!

I have found random pictures on the boards here and using google of the suite, hopefully I find even more that really give a good idea of what the room is like! The floorplan looks great, has exactly what we need with just the right amount of space!

 

[THE DENTIST]

i Called them today for oct/ nov and was told they are sold out!!!???

Can you believe that?

What now?

 

[NancyIL]

i Called them today for oct/ nov and was told they are sold out!!!???

Can you believe that?

What now?

What dates? October is a big convention month at the S/D, but I don't know about November.

 

[rogers803]

We will be at the dolphin dec.19 to 26.: i know a free upgrade is very unlikely but how crowded is this area during christmas? are there special events during christmas?we have never stayed at this resort but we were able to get a great teacher rate.

 

[Mouseteacher]

I went from12/26-1/1 but it was many years ago. I believe that seeing Disney at Christmas is very special and should be experienced. However, the crowds were extremely high. I was grateful that I had done so many of the attractions on many past trips that if I had to skip any because of extremely long waits, it was okay. I believe I went before Fast Pass came into existence.

The decorations, the Christmas parades and shows were wonderful. We celebrated New Year's Eve in DHS (then know as MGM - ). There were many street performances going on and a spectacular New Year's Eve fireworks.

So, imho, do experienced Disney at Christmas but expect very high crowds.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Hi Karen ~ When are you leaving for WDW? Should be anytime now.

 

[FINFAN]

We will be at the dolphin dec.19 to 26.: i know a free upgrade is very unlikely but how crowded is this area during christmas? are there special events during christmas?we have never stayed at this resort but we were able to get a great teacher rate.

We have been at the Dolphin during those dates 2x's, and here is a list of what our kids were able to do:http://www.swandolphin.com/offers/holidays/intercot.html
Candy Cane hunt at the Grotto pool/ pool games
cookie decorating
Magic Key for Santa ( to hang on your room door)
Santa visits for kids to see,there is a desigated area, chair etc( like at the mall) pictures etc...very cute
magic light display on the Christmas tree in the evening( which is made of tons of red pointsettias)kind of like a disco lighting to music, pretty, about 5-10 minutes?
The area itself can get crowded due to volume of holiday guests, but we never felt crowded in the resort or lobby...the Friendship boats obviously had a full run each time, but they service more than just the Dolphin/Swan. The decorations around the S/D and the Boardwalk are very well done, and it is fun to go check out the Beach Club, Yacht Club and BWI for their decor as well. We saw balloon artists, jugglers, face painters,,,just depends on your timing. Have a great stay, and the BEST thing is being able to walk to/from 2 parks instead of waiting on a bus..you can, or take the boats, but we usually walk..it's just as quick at times and NOT crowded!
Also, we did recieve a balconey /MGM/Grotto pool view upon check in...we could see alot of the Osborne lights at MGM , it was beautiful...we checked in 12/21 for that trip...so a little ahead of the major crowds but later than your arrival, so you just never know!

 

[THE DENTIST]

My dates were 27 oct-7 nov.

I'm told sold out over the phone but i'm still getting prices online???

Didn't they like the sound of my voice?

 

[TaraPA]

I had trouble getting a few of those dates for months now, unfortunately. Online it will say there are rooms & give you a price but once you click farther along, it eventually comes up "unavailable." Keep checking back though, sometimes companies reserve large blocks of rooms for conventions, and as the time comes closer they release rooms that the company no longer needs.

 

[Mouseteacher]

Hi Karen ~ When are you leaving for WDW? Should be anytime now.

We leave in 10 days! I am so anal about packing! I started 2 weeks ago by getting the suitcase out, then going through my clothes and getting them washed and ironed ready to pack (of course leaving me clothes to wear until trip ). This past week I made lists of items I don't want to forget and a list of toiletries we need and then a trip to Walgreens.

My DH and DS will pack the night before and I will stress that they have everything. I am the one who is in charge of all the necessary reservation numbers. There is no way I would leave this important task to them!

 

[SingingMom]

I am the one who is in charge of all the necessary reservation numbers. There is no way I would leave this important task to them!

Isn't that just a GIVEN with us wives/moms?!?!

Have a WONDERFUL trip!!

 

[disdream00]

We are a family of five, and therefore have a limited number of options at Disney. The Dolphin says that it can accomodate 5 people. Has anyone done this? Do you rent a roll-away or do they have a couch like the Disney Deluxes? Were you crowded with five in the room?

TIA!

Hi, our family of 5 were at the Dolphin last week for 2 nights. We had booked a standard room but I was concerned about being crowded, so I asked at check-in if a bigger room was available for us to upgrade by paying the difference. There was no other rooms available, but they gave us a rollaway bed for free (usual charge is $25/night). It was very confortable, and there was plenty of space for it in the corner of the room. We did not feel crowded, but then again, we only spent 2 nights and were not in the room that much during the day.

 

[ozziewags]

When we checked in at the Dolphin I was prepared to spend points for a view, but was told that I had been upgraded to a lake view balcony room. We had connecting rooms and only ours had the balcony, but we were very pleased. Here is our view:

I really like the Epcot view, but this is fine too! I did find out that the connecting rooms are on the wing floors, not high up. I think 9 is the highest floor. Also, to whomever was asking about 2Q 1K - they have both. I think the 2Q 1K is more available because of the conventions. We almost had to switch rooms for the last night because all the connecting rooms were full, but I kept calling back thinking there might be a cancellation closer to the convention and I was right, so we didn't have to switch rooms.
Anyway, have a wonderful trip Karen. Here's hoping you have good weather....it has really been unusual this year (everywhere). This weekend in St. Louis it is like fall. Go figure.